Barcelona star seen as a key option in makeshift role as he earns coaching staff’s confidence | OneFootball

What began as an experiment is turning out to be a key tactical move for FC Barcelona as Gerard Martin is shining in his new role as the left-sided centre-back.

Barça boss Hansi Flick used the 23-year-old left-back in the position during pre-season, due to Inigo Martinez’s discomfort and subsequent departure, hinting that the former UD Cornella star could be an option at centre-back moving forward.

However, once the season began, Martin largely played in his natural position at left-back, until last weekend when he started as the left-sided CB against Athletic Club.

Having been impressed by what he saw, Flick once again deployed Martin in the same position on Saturday against Alaves, and the youngster delivered again.

Martin wins over Barcelona staff’s confidence

As such, SPORT reports that the Barcelona coaching staff have been won over by Martin in his new position at centre-back.

The coaches now see the 23-year-old ace as a key figure in the centre of defence for the coming months.

Against Alaves, Martin showed his strong ability to activate the team from the back, something Barcelona had lacked since Inigo’s departure.

Gerard Martin now seen as a genuine option at centre-back. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Positionally, he was alert, although he struggled in a few difficult situations, while in the buildup, he became a constant reference point for his teammates, with his pass to start the move for Dani Olmo’s first goal being a highlight.

What surprised Barcelona’s staff was how naturally he grasped his new responsibilities. He understood when to break lines, when to speed up and when to pause.

The belief at Barça is that the move not only improves the team’s play on the left side but also frees Pau Cubarsi to play on his natural right side, which allows a smoother buildup and reduces the need to adjust the defensive structure constantly.

As such, the intention is to continue with the experiment in the coming weeks. Barcelona had spent months searching for a reliable solution as a left-sided centre-back, and it remains a transfer priority.

For now, though, the Catalans seem to have found a temporary solution right at home in Martin.